Planning and Preparation

The time is getting closer and I am getting excited. Today I made my first telephone call to Europe. The hotel I chose for my two nights in Paris before my return home, Grand Hotel Leveque, had an email connection that apparently didn't work. I saw that it was already booked for much of the spring and summer and . . . time's a wastin'. I called the number on the web site. It didn't go through. I entered how to telephone europe into yahoo search, and well of course you can find anything you want on the web. After calling correctly I got a pleasant fellow speaking something in French. I said, "Hello. I am calling from the United States and I don't speak French very well." (In other words it will take me forever to ask what I want) "Do you speak English?" Yes he did, and he was pleased as punch to allow me to stay for those two nights, thank you Madame. I reserved a single superior room. What makes it superior - upscale - is that it has its own lavatory. The emailed confirmation said the toilet is near my room but the shower is on the fifth floor. It is a trade off for being on the Rue Cler, a cobblestone street filled with little markets. I thrill at the thought!

First the decision was made to go. I was thinking . . .yeah I would like to take this great trip to Provence but I can't because . . . . . Then that quiet voice of reason asked, Why not? Why not indeed! That was the aha! moment. Now with the week in Provence paid for, the plane reservations made, the first night in Avignon finally reserved, my itinerary soon will be complete. I just need to make my TGV reservations. Soon I will be on my way!